Outlook: The Raiders have just 26 players, so maintaining health will be key as the program tries to take a step forward. A handful of players in back-up roles left the team, depleting an already thin layer of depth.

Those who stayed, said Vodika, have been faithful to the team’s offseason strength training program.

"Not everybody wanted to invest, but we have upped the stakes as far as a greater commitment," Vodika said. "These kids who are with us have made that commitment. We had to get tougher here and we’ve done that."

Key will be the smoothness of the offense’s transition from the I-formation to the Wing-T. Also, the Raiders must find a way to run the ball without graduated seniors Tiger Jaso (573 yards) and Kody Brewer (472).

The offensive line, which returns all but one player, should help in that regard. Smith earned All-MAL second team last year.

Timmons, who took over at quarterback late last season, is back, and will switch to safety from linebacker on defense.

LAKOTA SCHEDULE

Aug. 30-Arcadia

Sep. 6-at Gibsonburg

Sep. 13-Cardinal Stritch

Sep. 20-at Tiffin Calvert

Sep. 27-Hopewell-Loudon

Oct. 4-at Fremont St. Joseph

Oct. 11-Carey

Oct. 18-at Mohawk

Oct. 25-at Seneca East

Nov. 1-North Baltimore

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